“This last school year has seen us overhaul the entire management structure of our schools to make them more accountable. Whether it is instruction or construction, we will continue to fix our school system so it works for who it is suppose to - the children. 

“Today is the last day of school in New York City. But it is a new day for our City’s school children. The State’s highest court has ordered the State to right a wrong that has been allowed to exist for too many years. For too long, the State has not given the City its fair share of State education funds and as a result, our 1.1 million have been denied a basic and sound education.

“This fight to fix this injustice has gone on for years.  In 1993, the City sued the State on the basis that the State was not providing adequate enough money to the City.  The suit was dismissed, but a companion suit brought by a reform group called the Campaign for Fiscal Equity continued.  During my campaign for Mayor, I joined that suit as a private citizen and earlier this year, I asked our Corporation Counsel to file an amicus brief in support of the Campaign.

“I would like to congratulate the Campaign for Fiscal Equity, including Council Member Robert Jackson, on this victory, as well as the law firm of Simpson Thatcher and their managing partner Dick Beattie, who handled this case pro-bono on their behalf.

“It is every child’s right under the State Constitution to receive an education. And I am especially pleased that the Court ruled that an education means a meaningful High School education, not an eighth grade education.   I don’t know how we could look our selves in the mirror and say eighth grade is good enough. We can’t shortchange our kids and the State can’t shortchange us.

“The reforms we have embarked upon are picking up steam.  The new management team at the Department of Education is being put into place and there is a “For Sale” sign hanging from 110 Livingston Street.  We will continue to fight for our children so that they all get the education they not only deserve, but is their right.”